A superb and rarely offered species from New Mexico, Aquilegia skinnerii was brought into cultivation as early as 1865 and has been since forgotten until very recently with the re-introduction of this selected new strain. This is a beautiful hardy perennial plant with lovely fern-like foliage and a seemingly inexhaustible supply of stems with long-spurred flowers.

‘Tequila Sunrise’ has two unique features for a columbine: when sown early in the year, it is capable of flowering in its first year from seed and its very long flowering period which is from May to September.
This irresistible variety has brilliantly coloured, distinctive nodding flowers which grow to 5cm (2in) in diameter. They are bright red to copper-red, orange with golden yellow centres, produced in profusion at the end of many branches.

Although its native habitat would have been damp places, open woods or scrubland, the front of the border is the only place where the beauty of this Aquilegia will be prominent and there can be fully appreciated.

Sowing: Sow February to June or September to October.
Seeds can either be sown directly where they are to flower or can be sown into pots and grown on, before transplanting. Avoid the hottest and coldest parts of the year and sow in early spring to early summer or sow in autumn.

Sowing Direct:
Find a cooler part of the garden that enjoys dappled shade. If you have plenty of seed start by sprinkling seeds straight onto the ground in late-summer. Rake so that the seeds are covered with a small amount of soil. The seeds will germinate by the following spring.
Aquilegias will self-sow into choice plants, so only sprinkle the seeds where it will not matter.

Sowing Indoors:
Sow seed on the surface of lightly firmed, seed compost in pots or trays. Cover seed with a light sprinkling of vermiculite. Stand the pot in water until the soil is moist and drain. Either use a plastic lid or seal container inside a polythene bag to keep the moisture in. Keep at 15 to 20°C (59 to 68°F).
After sowing, do not exclude light as this helps germination. Keep the surface of the compost moist but not waterlogged. Always stand the pots in water: never water on the top of seeds.
Expect germination within 2 to 3 weeks. Overwinter September sowings in a cold frame and plant out the following spring. When large enough to handle, transplant seedlings into 7.5cm (3in) pots or trays. Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10 to 15 days before planting out after all risk of frost, 30cm (12in) apart.

Cultivation:
Feeding is unnecessary unless the soil is exceptionally poor. An aquilegia should not need staking, but an overfed plant will flop. Their rounded foliage is attractive, even in winter, but it looks much more impressive when given a late-autumn haircut. Cut the leaves right back and fresh foliage will appear.
When the flowers are finished, around the end of June, cut the stalks off and let the leaves do their stuff without the distraction of drying spikes of stem.
Lift and divide large clumps in early spring and apply a generous 5 to 7cm (2 to 3in) mulch of well-rotted manure or garden compost around the plant. Divided specimens may take some time to establish since they don’t like having their roots disturbed. Contact with the sap may cause skin irritation.
Columbines tend to cross-pollinate, hybridise, and self seed freely, creating new strains and colours. The formation of seeds will shorten the productive lifespan of the plant, so it is best to remove the spent flowers promptly. Columbines tend to lose vitality after 4 to 5 years and are best replaced at that time.

Plant Uses:
Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Rockeries, Woodland Gardens

Origin:
Columbines in the wild are identified by species characteristics and often are endemic to a specific geographic area.
Aquilegia skinneri is native to the mountain regions of New Mexico.
Mr George Ure Skinner (1804-1867), whose name is coupled with this species, was a botanical collector who travelled to Guatemala in 1831, from which he sent seeds of the plant to His Grace the Duke of Bedford, at Woburn Abbey. It was later described in 1842 by William Jackson Hooker and was brought into cultivation as early as 1865.

Nomenclature:
The genus name Aquilegia comes from the Latin word aquil meaning eagle, in reference to the flower’s five spurs at the back of the flower that resemble an eagle’s talon.
The species is named after George Ure Skinner, 19th century British orchid collector in Guatemala
The common name, columbine, comes from the Latin columbinus, meaning 'dove-like'. If you up-end an aquilegia to reveal the spurs, they resemble birds feeding and 'Doves round a Dish', another common name, reflects this perfectly. The flower was often depicted in medieval paintings to represent the dove of peace.
The family name Ranunculus is a diminutive form of the Latin rana meaning 'little frog'; because many of its members grow in moist places.